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Time Flies When You’re Having Fun

It’s been a year since starting this blog and I want to thank every one of you who’s dropped by to read these posts, and to linger a little longer to leave a comment. You’ve made me feel very welcome in this tiny corner of the Internet.

Many of you have been kind enough to leave a word or two and to keep the conversation rolling. I can always count on Lynne, behindthemaskofabuse, Raani, Wayne, Heather, Jen, valeriedavis, Jeri, June, virginialorca, Cookie, bldodson, lindalochridge, alesiablogs, lpaulick, Dixie, Bette, Susan, quirky books, Adrienne, stutleytales, Shirley, 1dlagarino, Jodi, catnipoflife, Jessica, Expat Alien, Ria, Deanna, and Yasseen to let me know their feelings and ideas, as well as giving this writer a real motivation to keep posting. If you write me a comment, I value that, and I will always write you back.

It used to be that writing was something done in the loneliness of an empty room. Just the writer, some paper, a pen or a typewriter, making up stories for anonymous readers. Blogging came along and changed that. Now, there are names and identities attached to readers, and I find myself eager to hear from people who I’ve come to know over the last 365 (or more) days I’ve been writing here.

So here’s to another 365 (or more) days of Can You All Hear Me In The Back? I am toasting each and every one of you tonight – from those who comment, to those who are so considerate to “like” my posts or to click that “WordPress This” “Facebook” or “Twitter” button at the bottom of every post. I wish I could send each and every one of you flowers.

It’s this that I love the most – the interaction between you and everyone else who reads these posts. This is what is always missing in writing – at least for me; it always has been – until this blog. Writing has become, in many ways for me, much more fulfilling. So you, and anyone else who takes the time to read these posts and responds has enriched my writing experience. So thanks, Lynne!

Congrats on hitting the one year mark. It is definitely a milestone to be proud of. I just began writing and I really enjoy it so far. Reading this inspires me to continue to write and go after my goals. Best of luck with everything and here’s to another year 🙂

Happy Anniversary Darlene! I did not realize that you and I started our blogs at around the same time! I began last May as well. It’s been awesome getting to know you! And you did (give us flowers!). Thanks!!!

Darlene,
I just finished printing out your recent blogs on screenwriting posts to read and highlight for future reference. Thank you for your generosity in sharing your experiences in writing screenplays. Just what I needed to read.

Reading your blog
makes me want to express myself in different ways. I also feel a connection to family just knowing how much my dad loved your dad and family! I will continue to look for more of your well written words Darlene! 🙂

Thank you so much, Debra. And yes, I feel the same way you do about the “connection to family.” For so many years I didn’t know that much about that side of our family’s story, but I’m happy to have “met” you online as a cousin I’ve never known or had a chance to meet. Recently, I started researching our lineage – Tia Marquesa (your great-grandmother or grandmother?) all the way back to Felipe Santiago Garcia – un soldado de cuera, a soldier of Spain, and all of his descendants, including you and me. It’s made me want to write those stories of the “Californios” – stories that really haven’t ever been told before. I hope you’ll fill me in on anything you’ve learned through the years about the Prescotts, the Gonzaleses, and the Garcias.

As a grizzled old veteran of a year and a half, I can tell you it only gets better, my dear. And the coffee more flavorful. Though some of us start having a harder time hearing from the back… Love to ya!

Harvey!!! I’m so happy to see you here, and I LOVE your blog. You are such a seasoned veteran with words, and your life experiences make you one of my favorite wordsmiths. Thank you for coming by and joining in this (quoting behindthemaskofabuse) “blogaversary.”

Congrats! Your blog is the only one I read regularly and I thank you so much. You DO always answer and you have always been here for me (and others) with words of wisdom, support and encouragement. Do you know how much this means to me? Being a shut-in isn’t fun, as you well know, so it’s nice to know there are still friends out there.

BTW, did you get my birthday card? Did’t you say that 5/29 was your birthday? Hope it was (or will be) happy.

Yes, I got your birthday card!!! I sent you a message back but it wouldn’t go through – Guess I did something wrong? Thank you so much for the birthday wishes! My husband’s birthday is in May, and I’m a June baby. But I can honestly say that you were the first person to wish me Happy Birthday this year, and I really appreciate that. It’s always great to hear from you, Deana. And yes, you’re right: Being a shut-in isn’t fun. I remember those early days of agoraphobia and the depression that comes along with suffering from it. I can only say to you that you should never give up the hope of stepping back into the world again. Where there is hope, desire and strong will can flourish, and those are powerful emotions that make even the most impossible tasks achievable.

‘Alf mabrook!’ A thousand congratulations on the anniversary! Don’t know how you manage to keep writing, but I’m jolly glad you do. I write in a lonely but v noisy room—noisy with jangly nerves rather than ‘Hell’s a’ Poppin’ noise—and when I read your blog, no matter what you write, a blessed silence falls and I know I am with somebody who has good family feeling.My anxieties for my kids, albeit grown up lads, who live thousands of miles away, are calmed, at least momentarily.

I often want to write you a comment, but don’t know what to say. I was very moved by what you wrote about your father recently but got a bit tongue-tied. Somehow I felt I knew him. The man in the picture seemed familiar although I could not possibly have met him. And that question he kept asking himself over and over: ‘Why did I go right and live and not go left and die?’Well, that certainly is familiar. Similar questions plague me–although they are not all live or die issues– and I am glad to know I am not alone.

I should thank you for writing and I do. I feel less lonely when I read your blog. It is, by the way, the only one I read regularly. Thank you very much indeed.

And I feel less lonely when writing this blog. Isn’t that amazing? To sit in a room all by myself – absolutely silent, except for the sound of my fingers tapping at a keyboard, and yet, I don’t feel alone at all. Writing has always been a way for me to reach out and connect, and blogging was just the missing piece of the puzzle. With playwriting, (if you are lucky to be produced) your connection is with an audience. So too with screenwriting. But writing a story, a novel, or a poem isolates the writer from life, and there is never any connection. We only hope our words reach other human beings, but you’re never really sure. Unless you’re fortunate to have a blog like I do. It’s my pleasure to be able to create content, and to know that there are people willing to connect, to share, and to converse. I always look forward to your comments, Yasseen. Your eloquence always touches me and is very much appreciated.

Cheers Darlene. One year anniversary for me too. How time flew and what wonderful people I have met. I used to wonder why everyone was inviting everyone to read their blog and now I know. I have been educated, tickled and enlightened. Bravo

Congratulations Darlene! And happy blog birth-day! I just celebrated my 2nd year and I can honestly say that year two was even better than year on!!!! I hope you’ve celebrated and honored such a turning point (and yes, I definitely wrote about THAT on my blog) because that helps us remember all the many reasons we do what we do. Keep up the great blog! ~Kathy

That is so wonderful, Raani. I really appreciate your nomination, and your support for my blog. We are in the midst of wedding frenzy at the moment – the big day is about a week and half away. Soon as life starts to slow down and I’m able to come back to my blog I will take a look at your “Shine On” blog award. Thank you so much for nominating me!

I was just wanting to check in with you. How are you doing and your daughter? I have had a crazy summer thus far and will share on my blog at some point my experiences, but for now trying to get in better shape. I have lost 25 pounds with 25 to go! Blessings to you. Alesia